A 'haze' that is causing discomfort for people along the coast from Eastbourne to Birling Gap has prompted emergency services to warn people to stay away from the beaches and to keep doors and windows closed if living near the coast.

People have been warned to stay away from beaches Credit: Eddie Mitchell

A 'haze' that is causing discomfort for people along the coast from Eastbourne to Birling Gap has prompted emergency services to warn people to stay away from the beaches and to keep doors and windows closed if living near the coast.

The first report came from Birling Gap just before 5pm on Sunday (August 27) where up to 50 people had been affected by irritation to eyes and throats.

Credit: Eddie Mitchell

This seems to have been caused by an unknown haze coming in from the sea, but the source has not yet been established.
Emergency services are treating people at Birling Gap and clearing the area.

People living along the coast in the area have been advised to keep doors and windows shut and to move away from the Birling Gap area in particular.

Lots of people have been tweeting about their experience of the gas, even from miles away:

As with all natural or wild environments it is important to take care. This applies to everyone, whether simply walking or involved in other leisure pursuits and sports. Members of the public should always stay a safe distance away from the cliff edge at Beachy Head and away from the cliff face when relaxing on the beach beneath.''

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Beachy Head lighthouse, before its lick of paint Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

After a campaign, which raised £27,000, to revive the fading stripes of Beachy Head lighthouse, the painting has been completed in just under three weeks.

A team of five workmen have applied several coats of paint to freshen up the appearance of the 141ft lighthouse.

Martin Griffin, the managing director of Hailsham-based Sussex Blast Cleaning, which has over seen the project said, "We have done it in just under three weeks. We lost four days due to some bad weather but we have worked quite quickly using sprays, rollers and brushes.

"Crown Paints, which has donated the paint used in the project, say it should last up to 10 years.